AHC Careers

AHC Background:

Ankawa Humanitarian Committee (AHC) is a local, non-Governmental, faith-based Organization established in February 2020, directed towards the fundamental challenges of humanitarian and development work facing our long-suffering communities.

AHC is guided by its core values of Humanity, Service, and Mercy to reach its vision of building a community where citizens can live and worship freely and safely, prosper economically, access quality services, and participate fully and responsibly in Iraq’s diverse and thriving community.

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Program Director will have the overall responsibility for the successful implementation of all program activities. Overseeing all programs’ staff to ensure that work is completed on time and within budget, to a high standard, and with donor compliance.

The Program Director will provide leadership to manage risk strategically, monitor program finances, and ensure each phase of the program is started and completed on time.

Job Responsibilities:

·       Plan, manage, and implement all program activities throughout relevant program cycles - program design, start-up, implementation, and close-out - to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with AHC program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.

·       Prepare regular program reports for donors, management, board members, and other stakeholders.

·       Ensure timely management and follow-up on program duties from planning, reporting, and executions as required by donors' agreements.

·       Ensure the program team and partner staff use the appropriate systems and tools.

·       Effectively manage and supervise program team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of program staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.

·       Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and program activities. Ensure all program staff understand and adhere to AHC staff safety and security policies and plans and ensure updating such plans.

·       Promote, uphold, and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources in the program.

·       Efficiently manage program budget, track the expenditure, and ensure coordination with the management and finance department on changes and updates.

·       Provide oversight and analysis regarding monthly program expenditures.

·       Lead the program design and assessment processes in coordination with the business development for new grants and opportunities. Take the lead in formulating program budgets, designing the result framework, defining activities, and setting targets during proposal development.

·       Plan the development of the needed documentation, tools, and templates required to design, initiate, or implement programs.

·       Oversee the pursuit of strategic growth opportunities, prepositioning, and capture planning.

·       Champion learning with program staff and partner teams. Analyze and evaluate program performance data following MEAL policy. 

·       Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.

·       Handle sensitive information in a confidential manner. Perform other duties and activities as directed by the Line Manager and perform all other tasks and responsibilities assigned for the benefit and support of AHC and its mission.

The Program Director must adhere to the action points mentioned in the Strategic Plan; AHC staff should manage their responsibilities as identified/guided by the document of the strategic plan.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

·       Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business and administration, International Development, International Relations, or a related field.

·       Minimum of 5 years experience in a managerial position leading high-value relief and development programs. Experience in complex development settings preferred.

·       Significant experience in proposal development, especially with USG, EU, and other donors, and excellent report, writing, and editing skills.

·       Strong experience with program management cycle.

·       Experience in providing technical guidance, training and capacity building for staff.

Preferred Qualifications

·       Demonstrated experience successfully managing high-value programs from multiple international donors, including USAID, DFID, and UN agencies, and knowledge of relevant donor regulations.

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Experience working with Church partners is a plus.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Ability to relate to and motivate local staff effectively.
• Highly reliable, able to consistently meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to represent the agency at high levels.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Personal Skills

·       Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with a capacity to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.

·       Excellent relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels, internally and externally. 

·       Team leadership abilities.

·       Strong communication and presentation skills.

·       Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

Travel Required (25% of the time is expected in assigned field locations).

Key Working Relationships

·       Supervisory Responsibilities: Program Coordinator, Program Officer, ICT Assistant, and MEAL Officer.

·       Internal: Executive Director, Program Coordinator, Program Staff, Operations team.

·       External: Governmental parties, Program stakeholders, Local and international NGOs, international donors, and other Partners.